Dabur Q4 net up 17.32pc at Rs. 235.29 crore

Dabur Ltd on Tuesday reported 17.32 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs. 235.29 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31 on account of strong performance in the FMCG segment.

The company had reported net profit of Rs. 200.55 crore in the January-March quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal.

Dabur’s net sales in Q4, 2013-14 moved up by 15.53 per cent to Rs. 1,769.02 crore, compared to Rs. 1,531.09 crore in the year-ago period.

Dabur’s consumer care business grew by 15.22 per cent at Rs. 1,486.05 crore, while foods business grew by 19.92 per cent to Rs. 231.08 crore.

“Strong demand from the hinterland following the mega initiative to double our rural distribution footprint helped Dabur India Ltd sail through a challenging business environment and moderation in consumption expenditure,” the company said in a statement.

Retail business was up 20.46 per cent at Rs. 19.07 crore while other businesses declined marginally by 0.24 per cent to Rs. 32.82 crore.

Dabur India CEO Sunil Duggal said: “The business has performed well on all operating parameters. Dabur has been reporting strong and consistent performance despite intensifying competitive pressures and the challenging market environment being witnessed for some quarters now.”

“Going forward too, our focus will be on pursuing an aggressive and profitable growth strategy.”

On overall expenses, Dabur reported 15.70 per cent jump at Rs. 1,505.31 crore in Q4, as against Rs. 1,300.94 crore in Q4 of 2012-13.

International business ended the fourth quarter with 20 per cent growth, led by GCC, Egypt and Levant (comprising Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon & Syria) markets.

For the entire 2013-14, Dabur’s net profit stood at Rs. 913.92 crore, as against Rs. 763.42 crore in the previous financial year.